15. THE CARAVAN PASSES
“Death to the Shah!”: Imam Khomeini, Islam and Revolution: Writings and Declarations of Imam Khomeini (1941–80), trans. Hamid Algar (Berkeley, CA: Mizan Press, 1981), p. 230.
“Khomeini has to be assassinated”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, September 21, 2013.
“satellite summit”: “Satellite Summit,” Kayhan International, February 2, 1978.
“Year of the Microchip”: “The Computer Society,” Time, February 20, 1978.
“was solid proof”: “Satellite Summit.”
“about a prince”: Ibid.
spoke out forcefully: “Sadat Must Succeed,” Kayhan International, February 5, 1978.
“we [Iranians] were civilized”: Ibid.
gala celebrations: Maryam Kharazmi, “Carpet Industry Will Thrive, Says Monarch,” Kayhan International, February 12, 1978.
“a giant-size nomadic tent”: Taruneh Gharagoziou, “Tradition Woven into a Modern Setting,” Kayhan International, February 21, 1978.
“used a great deal in mosques”: Ibid.
“a pond and bubbling fountain”: Ibid.
“turn Tehran into an international”: Kharazmi, “Carpet Industry Will Thrive.”
“What do you think?”: Author interviews with Farah Pahlavi, March 23–25, 2013. See also Farah Pahlavi, An Enduring Love: My Life with the Shah (New York: Miramax, 2004), p. 265.
“We talked a great deal”: Amir Taheri, The Unknown Shah (London: Hutchinson, 1991), pp. 286–287.
“I am only asking you”: F. Pahlavi (2004), p. 266.
“somewhat dingy” city of eight hundred thousand: Jonathan Randal, “Post-Riot Tabriz Retreats into a World of Rumors,” Washington Post, March 5, 1978.
refuse to sell imported meat: “Tabrizis Say No to Foreign Meat,” Kayhan International, February 11, 1978.
“it is not comfortable”: Randal, “Post-Riot Tabriz Retreats.”
“plastered with signs”: Ibid.
“People in charge of the movement”: Author interview with Ali Hossein, 2013.
On the morning of February 18: Details of the collapse of law and order in Tabriz on February 18, 1978, are taken mainly from dispatches filed by American and British foreign correspondents who traveled to the city in the weeks following the unrest. Their reports can be considered unbiased and straightforward. Perhaps surprisingly, the Iranian newspaper Kayhan, which was operating under mild censorship, also provided its readers with a fairly detailed account of the time line of the day’s events.
government offices, schools: Paul Hoffman, “Behind Iranian Riots, a Web of Discontent,” New York Times, March 5, 1978.
gates of the Masjed-e-Jomeh Mosque: Jonathan Randal, “Shah Moves to Defuse Iranian Dissent,” Washington Post, March 4, 1978.
setting fire to a traffic kiosk: “Tabriz After the Mob,” Kayhan International, February 20, 1978.
“Death to the Shah!”: Liz Thurgood, “Shah Seeking a Period of Calm,” Guardian, March 3, 1978.
134 blazes: “6 Killed, 125 Hurt in Riots in Northern Iranian City,” Washington Post, February 20, 1978.
“was dragged from her car”: Memorandum of Conversation: M. Henri Marchal, director, French Cultural Center, Tabriz, and David C. McGaffey, American consul, Isfahan, February 23, 1978, “Subject: Tabriz Riots of February 18, 1978,” Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, National Security Archive (Alexandria, VA: Chadwyck-Healey, 1990), document 1322.
“more than twenty girls at the Parvin School”: Ibid.
“people in the mob”: “Monarch Orders Tabriz Flareup Inquiry,” Kayhan International, February 21, 1978.
12 dead and 125 seriously injured: Statistics are taken from “Tabriz After the Mob,” Kayhan International, February 20, 1978.
“Banks and trading companies”: “Monarch Orders Tabriz Flareup Inquiry.”
“imported incendiary bombs”: Ibid.
“who had passed through Palestinian training camps”: Hushang Nahavandi, The Last Shah of Iran (London: Aquilion, 2005), p. 86.
“The attacks seemed extraordinarily well planned”: Hoffman, “Behind Iranian Riots.”
“It is rare now”: Ibid.
“Death to the Shah!”: Khomeini (1981), p. 230.
“We shall continue with our liberalization policy”: Vida Moattar, “Abuses ‘Will Not Stop Liberalization,’” Kayhan International, February 28, 1978.
recalled the governor of Eastern Azerbaijan: “Tabriz Governor Finishes Term of Office,” Kayhan International, March 2, 1978.
“I am not going”: Jonathan Randal, “Iranian Oil Embargo Hinted,” Washington Post, March 6, 1978.
the kidnapping and murder: “Kidnap Boy’s Body Found,” Kayhan International, March 9, 1978.
“Those with younger children”: “Taking No Chances,” Kayhan International, April 23, 1978.
“a young couple who fall in love”: “Showbiz Makes Gougoush Sick,” Kayhan International, March 14, 1978.
“If only I could have a simple, normal life”: Ibid.
“But I am pretty certain”: Kiumars Mehr-Ayin, “After London, Where Next for Iranians?” Kayhan International, April 10, 1978.
“since foreign tourists”: Ibid.
traffic jams starting at four: “Road Jams as Millions Begin Now Ruz Rush,” Kayhan International, March 20, 1978.
“Hang in there”: “Gregory Lima, “Hang in There for the Year of the Horse,” Kayhan International, March 20, 1978.
“no increase in sales”: “The Now Ruz Spree Is Over Before It Began,” Kayhan International, March 13, 1978.
“its busiest period so far”: “Over 20,000 to Holiday Abroad,” Kayhan International, January 25, 1978.
twenty thousand: Ibid.
the Leningrad Ballet: “Leningrad Ballet Brings Eager Crowds Rushing,” Kayhan International, March 30, 1978.
Swedish opera diva Birgit Nilsson: Terry Graham, “Rudaki Thrills to Nilsson,” Kayhan International, March 6, 1978.
The trial was under way of Maryam: “Acid-Thrower Is in Prison Again,” Kayhan International, March 5, 1978.
Broadway star Pearl Bailey: “Empress and Prince Reza Meet Pearl,” Kayhan International, March 5, 1978.
“I am always moved”: “Pearl Is Moved by Iranian Hospitality,” Kayhan International, March 5, 1978.
“new international economic order”: “Monarch Renews Call for New World Order,” Kayhan International, March 25, 1978.
prefer the respondent to be of Iranian origin: Author interview with Maryam Ansary, March 2, 2014.
turned sweet sixteen: “Royal Birthday,” Kayhan International, March 12, 1978.
learning to play the guitar: Mansureh Pirnia, “My Lifetime Goal Is to Serve the Nation,” Kayhan International, October 15, 1977.
“In Kish I presented an assessment”: Author interview with Reza Ghotbi, March 25, 2013.
reported they were coming under attack: Author interview with Mahnaz Afkhami, August 16, 2013.
“Several foreign companies”: Liz Thurgood, “Iranian Government Censured Over Riot,” Guardian, March 17, 1978.
“People around us were shocked”: Author interview with Mahnaz Afkhami, August 16, 2013.
on pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina: “Princess Ashraf on Pilgrimage,” Kayhan International, March 25, 1978.
“I spoke to His Majesty”: Author interview with Mahnaz Afkhami, August 16, 2013.
sixty thousand to seventy thousand: Geoffrey Wigoder, “A Visit to the Tomb of Esther,” Jerusalem Post, March 2, 1978.
“Anti-Jewish books”: Ibid.
half of the fifty thousand Jews: Ibid.
20 percent: Ibid.
30 percent: Ibid.
Fifteen hundred Israeli citizens: Uri-Bar Joseph, “Forecasting a Hurricane: Israeli and American Estimates of the Khomeini Revolution,” Journal of Strategic Studies 36, issue 5 (2013): 5.
$210 million: Jonathan Broder, “Israel, Iran Maintain Quiet, Closely Guarded Ties,” Chicago Tribune, February 26,
1978.
six weekly flights: Ibid.
“The Jews have every confidence in the Shah”: Wigoder, “A Visit to the Tomb.”
enjoyed a close working relationship: Joseph, “Forecasting a Hurricane,” p. 6.
shocked at the speed: Ibid., p. 11.
“the Shah was finished and his days were numbered”: Ibid.
secretly visited the Shah on Kish Island: Ibid., p. 12.
“is rapidly taking on”: Confidential Memorandum of Conversation: Hedayat Eslaminia, Leila (translator), George B. Lambrakis, John D. Stempel, “Subject: Internal Politics and Religion,” May 23, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 01397.
“concluded that the combination”: Joseph, “Forecasting a Hurricane,” p. 12.
“the main challenge”: Ibid.
tempo of unrest flared: For example, see “Textile Plant Gutted in Fire,” Kayhan International, March 25, 1978, and “Bank Offices Come Under Violent Attack,” Kayhan International, March 29, 1978.
bomb threat had been called in: “Confidential: Country Team Minutes,” March 29, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, National Security Archive, document 01351.
thirty-five shops along Shohoda Street: “Mysterious Fire Destroys 35 Shops,” Kayhan International, March 30, 1978.
shoot-out that left one gunman dead: “Terrorist Killed in Qazvin Encounter,” Kayhan International, April 1, 1978.
Bands of rioters: “Several Cities Hit by Violent Anti-State Riots,” Kayhan International, April 1, 1978.
weekend of Friday, March 31, to Saturday, April 1: The list of incidents was reported in “Rioters Stage Sneak Attacks on Banks,” Kayhan International, April 3, 1978.
gruesome crime scene: “Foreigner Killed,” Kayhan International, April 3, 1978.
“I drove down at night with a security car in the rear”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, September 21, 2013.
16. FIVE DAYS IN MAY
“My headstrong lord, consider now and say”: Abolqasem Ferdowsi, Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings, trans. Dick Davis (New York: Penguin, 2006), p. 502.
“The Americans want to eliminate me”: Author interview with Reza Ghotbi, March 25, 2013.
Downtown, tens of thousands of picnickers: “Tehranis Rush to Enjoy the 13th,” Kayhan International, April 3, 1978.
“There were only a few cases”: Ibid.
fresh snowfall in northeastern Iran: “Tehran ‘Won’t Be Windy Long,’” Kayhan International, April 12, 1978.
drenched by heavy rains: Ibid.
“raised the dust and scattered garbage”: Ibid.
“Foreign trade delegations”: Anthony Parsons, The Pride and the Fall: Iran 1974–79 (London: Jonathan Cape, 1984), p. 64.
Formal state visits: President and Mrs. Scheel of West Germany arrived in Tehran on April 21, 1978. See “Scheels Arrive for State Visit,” Kayhan International, April 22, 1978. President and Mrs. Senghor of Senegal arrived in Tehran on April 24, 1977. See “Senghor Visit,” Kayhan International, April 25, 1978.
commander of the Indian Navy: “The Shahanshah Receives the Commander of the Indian Navy,” Kayhan International, April 26, 1978.
American feminist leaders: “Empress Farah Received a Delegation of American Feminists,” Kayhan International, April 20, 1978.
“Ron and Nancy stayed in my house”: Author interview with Ardeshir Zahedi, October 27, 2012.
“Isfahan was full of European”: Parsons (1984), p. 65.
escorted into his office: The Shah received Thatcher and Bush on April 29, 1978. See “Niavaran Audiences,” Kayhan International, April 30, 1978.
attracted a steady trade: Irene Sarshar, “Lalezar: Still a Bustling Appeal to the Senses,” Kayhan International, March 15, 1978.
looking for a shady lunch spot: Irene Sarshar, “Avenue Kakh is a Nostalgic Backwater,” Kayhan International, April 17, 1978.
“The parks are immaculate”: Iran’s Affluent, Indebted to the Shah, Give Him Little Support in Crisis,” New York Times, November 18, 1978.
five dead and ninety-eight injured: William Branigan, “Shah Maintains Firm Control Despite New Wave of Protests,” Washington Post, April 7, 1978.
“Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is beset”: Jonathan Randal, “Shah’s Economic Project Hits Snags, Periling His Regime,” Washington Post, April 2, 1978.
“A year ago you”: William Branigan, “Little Joy Greets the Shah’s Anniversary,” Washington Post, August 20, 1977.
from $10 to $7: Ibid.
“The only way out for him now”: Randal, “Shah’s Economic Project.”
returned from their Kish vacation: “Monarch, Empress Return from Kish,” Kayhan International, April 4, 1978.
rushed to the Takht-e Jamshid movie theater: “Riots, Sabotage Continue to Hit Several Cities,” Kayhan International, April 5, 1978.
In Zarand: “Rioters Stage Sneak Attacks on Banks,” Kayhan International, April 3, 1978.
“was suddenly engulfed in flames”: “Riots, Sabotage Continue.”
plant on Karaj Road: “Fires Strike Village, Manufacturing Plant,” Kayhan International, April 9, 1978.
a bus depot in the town of Shushtar: “Riots, Sabotage Continue.”
the Physical Culture Organization building: Ibid.
The Youth Hostel in Kermanshah: Ibid.
A policeman was blinded: Ibid.
“These groups have obviously”: “The Barren Womb of Red and Black Reaction,” Kayhan International, April 12, 1978.
“mostly drawn from the marginal strata”: Ibid.
“The Americans want to eliminate me”: Author interview with Reza Ghotbi, March 25, 2013.
Pakravan explained: Memorandum of Conversation, “Home of General Hassan Pakravan, Niavaran, Tehran,” April 19, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, National Security Archive (Alexandria, VA: Chadwyck-Healey, 1990), document 1362.
the death five days earlier: “Elder Statesman Alam Dies After Long Illness,” Kayhan International, April 15, 1978.
Over the Nowruz holiday: Ibid.; author interview with Parviz Sabeti, May 10, 2014.
Sabeti agreed to write the report: Ibid.
“brutally frank”: Nahavandi provided an account of his meeting with Moghadam in Hushang Nahavandi, The Last Shah of Iran (London: Aquilion, 2005), pp. 109–111.
“dramatic measures”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, May 10, 2014.
“nonsense”: Author interviews with Farah Pahlavi, March 23–25, 2013.
“Eyewitness said he saw”: Telegram: Embassy Tehran to Secretary of State, “GOI Breaks Up Student Demonstration Roughly,” April 24, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 1366.
“brownshirt tactics”: Telegram from Embassy Tehran to Secretary of State, Subject: “GOI Discouragement of Dissident Political Action,” April 25, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 01374.
They got into a “big fight”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, September 21, 2013.
the latest CIA review: Central Intelligence Agency, “Iran in the 1980s,” August 1977, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 1210.
the Shah enjoyed “good health”: Ibid., p. 49.
“no radical change”: Ibid., p. iii.
“The Shah could die suddenly”: Ibid., p. iv.
“on the verge of panic”: Airgram from U.S. Consul David McGaffey to Department of State, “Disturbances in Isfahan,” May 6, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 01382.
“strength and growing violence”: Ibid.
“I talked with people”: “South ‘Becoming a Powerhouse,’” Kayhan International, May 7, 1978.
“Over the last three months”: “The Rule of Law Must Prevail During This Time of Liberalization,” Kayhan International, May 6, 1978.
“a lavish cocktail and dinner”: “Town Talk by Konjav: Tehran Gives U.S. Travel Agents a Warm Welcome,” Kayhan International, May 8, 1978.
first shots were fired
in Tabriz: “Rioters Attack Public Property in Many Cities,” Kayhan International, May 11, 1978.
mourners destroyed three hundred vehicles: Ibid.
more than a thousand rioted in Kerman: Ibid.
he had drawn up a contingency plan: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, June 15, 2013.
“We had the names of five thousand people”: Ibid.
“Now we have to do our job”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, September 21, 2013.
“simply went from door to door”: “Empress Farah Talking with a Woman,” Kayhan International, May 11, 1978.
“I went to try to find out”: Author interview with Farah Pahlavi, July 15, 2013.
“Such large demonstrations”: Tehran Police Fire Shots to Disperse Demonstrators,” Los Angeles Times, May 11, 1978.
British and American schools: “Iran Firms Restrict Employee Travel,” Guardian, May 15, 1978.
The Shah rearranged his schedule: “Iran Riots Spread to Tehran,” Times (London), May 12, 1978.
Beside the names of the five groups: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, September 21, 2013
“collective arrests”: Ibid.
“in the end he only approved three hundred arrests”: Ibid.
“We are going the wrong way”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, June 15, 2013.
On the evening of Friday, May 12: Memorandum of Conversation, “Subject: Religious Situation, Hedayat Eslaminia, Simin Hedayat, George B. Lambrakis, John D. Stempel.”
“He was a Savak agent”: Author interview with Parviz Sabeti, September 21, 2013.
“foreshadowed a gigantic explosion”: Memorandum of Conversation, “Subject: Religious Situation, Hedayat Eslaminia, Simin Hedayat, George B. Lambrakis, John D. Stempel.”
On Saturday, May 13: An account of the meeting of the Shah’s security chiefs is found ibid.
“These people are politically bankrupt cases”: “Anti-Government Groups ‘Seek Iran’s Partition,’” Kayhan International, May 14, 1978.
looked and sounded “like a man in retreat”: Memorandum of Conversation, Rahmatolah Moghadam Maregheh, George Lambrakis, June 12, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 01417.
cheered and applauded by friendly crowds: Nahavandi (2005), p. 93.
“expounded at great length”: Memorandum of Conversation, “Armenian Leader’s Views on Iranian Political Stability,” Diyair Paessian, Der Hounessian, Michael J. Metrinko, May 20, 1978, Iran: The Making of US Policy, 1977–80, document 01392.
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